NikonGear'23

Gear Talk => Other => Topic started by: bobfriedman on April 22, 2020, 23:57:41

Title: Options for Remote camera control
Post by: bobfriedman on April 22, 2020, 23:57:41
(Admin comment: split off from this thread: https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=9401.0 )


so my approach to this problem would be to use a stackshot rail to generate the stack.  I would estimate the DoF and base the total number on that range extent divided by the DoF amount + 1. just generally, I would assume you need more than 3-5 images in the stack.. I would be in the neighborhood of 10 time that amount at a minimum.. I personally always oversample..

so to fix the focus plane and let the rail create the image slices would be my recommendation.
.
Title: Re: Options for Remote camera control
Post by: Jack Dahlgren on April 23, 2020, 04:58:01
If the lens is also an AF lens then Focus Stacking could be made as a function in the firmware?     …..like "bracketing" for distance?
Then there was nothing to disturb the setup. Then parameters like no. of images in stack, "delta" distance, etc. could be setup in such a function.
Maybe this is possible today if the camera/lens can be controlled from a laptop PC?

A form of this is found in recent Nikon cameras starting with the D850 I believe. The parameters you enter are not hard and fast, so it takes some experimenting to understand what a setting like "8" really means. Works really well and quickly with silent shutter if your lighting allows it.
Title: Re: Options for Remote camera control
Post by: MEPER on April 23, 2020, 07:51:57
If you have a PC connected is it possible to focus manually via the PC so it is a remotely controlled manual focus?
You have the image on the laptop screen I assume so easy to see which part of the image that is in focus?
Title: Re: Focus Stacking and Remote camera control
Post by: Birna Rørslett on April 23, 2020, 09:47:00
There is absolutely no problem doing remote manual focusing when the lens/camera is on an automated rail like Stackshot. You have full access to Live View on your computer monitor using for example Nikon Camera Control Pro (which you have to pay for) or Digital Camera Control (which is free).
Title: Re: Options for Remote camera control
Post by: MEPER on April 23, 2020, 10:09:13
Ok....so this could be a way to overcome the stiff manual focus on the NOCT95.....by controlling it remotely via a laptop PC. Maybe even from a smart phone if Nikon is that advanced :-)
Title: Re: Options for Remote camera control
Post by: Birna Rørslett on April 23, 2020, 10:31:22
I assigned small Thinkpads (X-series)  to the task of remotely controlling my Stackshot cameras. Then it is easy to direct the NEFs to a network storage resource as they arrive from the camera thus no internal card is required in the camera. At any later convenient time one simply loads the session from the network and processing the files somewhere else with the necessary computing power.

Possibly one could use a tablet or 'smart' phone instead, but the work flow would likely be less smooth as they often don't allow being hooked into a wired LAN.
Title: Re: Options for Remote camera control
Post by: ColinM on April 23, 2020, 10:42:43
You have full access to Live View on your computer monitor using for example
- Nikon Camera Control Pro (which you have to pay for) or
- Digital Camera Control (which is free).

Should we start a separate thread on remote control options?
I'm more interested in remote control of camera than Stackshot (please move this if appropriate Birna)?

It would be good to get a current list of
- Options for both iOS and Android
- whether they work natively with the camera
  or if you're best buying the Wireless modules
- any direct connection options for laptops
Title: Re: Options for Remote camera control
Post by: Thomas Stellwag on April 23, 2020, 10:49:18
@ Colin:  it might be this one  http://digicamcontrol.com/ (http://digicamcontrol.com/)
Title: Re: Focus Stacking and Remote camera control
Post by: Birna Rørslett on April 23, 2020, 10:51:32
If necessary interest we can split the thread, of course. Just did that.

I was a little imprecise (using folder name, not program name ....), thus what you should look for is Digicam Control. In short hereafter, DCC.

Basically any of these control software uses USB connection between camera and computer. I guess one could manage to twist Snapbridge into working order as well, although my hopes are not set high. Snapbridge does deliver, a little reluctantly, GPS data to my Z50 though.

DCC is said to be mainly for Nikon and canon models, however it functions with other models as well. The home page is http://digicamcontrol.com/ and should answer most questions.

I went to DCC as my Nikon Camera Control Pro didn't think the D3200 was worthy of its attention, which of course is nonsensical the D3200 being my main UV camera. DCC works perfectly with D3200, just to prove my point. Sometimes I simply don't understand how Nikon thinks.

Title: Re: Options for Remote camera control
Post by: ColinM on April 23, 2020, 11:00:29
Thanks Birna & Thomas

If needed, I'll consider a laptop (Digicam control is a Windows prog)
But something that allows a tablet to talk wirelessly to the camera is what I'd find most useful.

I shot some video recently (D500 & Android tablet) & Snapbridge failed after the first attempt.
If it had worked, it would have been ideal

Similarly for macros in the field, a phone or tablet would be my tool of choice
Title: Re: Options for Remote camera control
Post by: Birna Rørslett on April 23, 2020, 11:03:22
In the latter case you need something operating wirelessly, I suppose. Not my cup of tea I'm afraid.

Many windows-based programs can run just fine under Linux. Photo Ninja is one of them. I'll investigate whether DCC can do the same. A small lightweight laptop with Linux running is great for casual use also outdoors.
Title: Re: Options for Remote camera control
Post by: mxbianco on April 23, 2020, 13:03:36
A form of this is found in recent Nikon cameras starting with the D850 I believe.
...and also Z6 and Z7.

Should work best with AFP lenses, which have a stepper motor similar to those present in hard-disc technology (and also floppy-disc, going way back in the past). With respect to AFS motors, AFP motors will advance focus a tiny step at a time, practically perfect for stacking. Maybe "8" means 8 AFP steps...
I think all Z-Nikkors are AFP (except the Noct95, which is MF)

Ciao from Massimo

Title: Re: Focus Stacking and Remote camera control
Post by: MEPER on April 23, 2020, 14:38:32
Ok....I can see Noct95 is a manuel focus lens only…...so for this you will need a focus stack rail if MF does not work perfect because it is stiff. Then focus steps are made by the rail and not the lens.
Title: Remote camera control
Post by: ColinM on April 23, 2020, 19:10:28
So I'm still investigating options for remote operation (not interested in Stacking right now)

NG Recommendations
> Nikon Camera Control Pro (which you have to pay for)

Luckily you can download a trial of this, since it costs $170
Sadly things stopped at the point it failed to find my D500.
This was connected via USB and I could see all the files on the camera from Windows

It looks like this is legacy software since I found a ton of people reporting the same problems 4-5 years ago. Back then, they were changing the properties of the camera's USB port, but I couldn't see that option on the D500 menus...

> or Digital Camera Control (which is free).

This will be my next port of call.

Ideas to fix Snapbridge? or the connection issues above
Meanwhile I thought I'd try this again.
I just can't seem to get the D500 to connect to Snapbridge, either on a Android phone or Android tablet.

I have got this to work on each device before,
and used it to control the camera & download files

I know Snapbridge has a poor reputation, but if you've been able to get it to work on a D500 can you let me know any tips I should try?

I expect things have moved on with the Z6 & 7 & they may have fixed things in hardware there that aren't resolved on the D500..
Title: Re: Options for Remote camera control
Post by: Birna Rørslett on April 23, 2020, 19:34:00
The Z50 connects smoothly to Snapbridge. I'll dig out my D500 and check its behaviour, will report back.
Title: Re: Options for Remote camera control
Post by: Birna Rørslett on April 23, 2020, 20:00:56
The D500 works too, with my android-based Samsung phone at least. Not as straight-forward to set up as the Z50, though. While you can add the camera using bluetooth connectivity, anything else demands Wi-Fi through an SSID set up by the D500 itself. The built-in Wi-Fi module of the D500 is used so you don't need to bolt on an extra device.
Title: Re: Options for Remote camera control
Post by: ColinM on April 23, 2020, 21:01:54
Thanks Birna

Like you, i was initially able to connect my D500 to both an Android phone, then tablet when I bought it last year. So both the Bluetooth and the WiFi steps connected ok
I had full control to see the Liveview take photos & download them.

But the next time I tried, they failed to connect via either Bluetooth or Wifi.
They've been like that ever since

I have tried removing the D500 from the list of paired devices in my phone, then trying to reconnect but it still failed.
Any other suggestions?


Meanwhile I'm not sure I want to pay $170 dollars for Nikon Camera Control Pro, but am frustrated I can't get that to "see" the D500.
I wonder if there is a common root cause for the two issues.....?
Factory reset of the D500?
Title: Re: Options for Remote camera control
Post by: Birna Rørslett on April 23, 2020, 21:05:56
You cannot use Digicam Control?
Title: Re: Options for Remote camera control
Post by: ColinM on April 25, 2020, 08:54:17
Deleted - update below
Title: Re: Options for Remote camera control
Post by: Kim Pilegaard on April 25, 2020, 10:05:29
Why not take a look at CamRanger. I have used it successfully for a couple of years for both remote control and stacking.
Title: Re: Options for Remote camera control
Post by: ColinM on April 25, 2020, 17:39:22
Thanks Kim, Birna and Thomas.

After checking my config I've now managed to
- Connect DigCam Control via a USB lead
- Managed one session with them connected via WiFi

Via USB seemed very promising and I changed settings & took some photos
It seemed Digicam didn't like me having other devices connected by other USB sockets initially (I route my network, keyboard & monitor via a hub). Disconnecting those got me more progress and I suppose I'll generally be in "mobile" mode when I need this app

Via WiFi, I had LiveView working on the laptop & could change settings. But I lost connection - after that all attempts to connect failed (the laptop tells me it's connected D500 each time I try, but Digicam didn't believe it)

For now, I think I'll persist with Digicam & spend a bit more time learning it.
I may look at CamRanger at some stage Kim, if I hit more barriers.